The first phase of Proactive Energy's M74 Eco-Park development will be capable of producing five megawatts of electricity - enough to power 2,800 homes. The site, in South Lanakshire, will be the UK's largest biogas facility and developers hope it to be operational in early 2011.

"Our total commitment to a cleaner and safer environment is supported by our initial £22.5m investment. This demonstrates our ambition and vision for providing state-of-the-art and cost-effective waste disposal solutions with huge environmental spin-offs."